Do fishmen and mermaids desire land so much?
It's just land and sunlight that excite them, everything Sage says is filled with tense longing. If they actually see it, what will it be like?
"No need to worry about the fishmen, I'm not going to banter with them; I handle things with righteousness."
Sage said, "Let's leave it for now. When the representative of the fishmen arrives, let him see for himself. We'll withdraw for now and go back."
"The tasks of Wano Country..."
"No need to worry about it for now. We don't have enough people, keeping them here won't mean much. Let's have Gin stay with the Demon Race here and keep watch."
Sage laughed, "Now, let's welcome the soon-to-arrive new aid."
The Death Star withdrew from the waters of Wano Country, replaced by a warship patrolled by Gin and the Demon Race.
Not long after, a group of fishmen approached the coast near the outskirts of O'hara.
"Father, I'm going ashore!"
Fukaboshi wrapped half of his face with a scarf and was the first to go ashore. Turning to the many fishmen who were submerged with only their heads out of the water, he said, "You need to see it with your own eyes to make a decision."
Though the allure of the Scourge's words was very captivating and beautiful, because it was so beautiful, it made people feel somewhat fake.
But, that's the Scourge... his reputation is somewhat assured.
If they don't take a look, it also feels uneasy.
After all, they are pirates...
If it's fake, only he will die!
Fukaboshi steadied his mind and looked at a city in the distance, bigger and better than any human town he had seen, even more glorious than Mary Geoise. Deep breath, he headed towards it.
He's only twenty-four, and male mermaids are different from female ones. Female mermaids over thirty can split into two legs, while male mermaids never will.
But as a man, even on land, he can move with his fishtail like a snake.
Soon, Fukaboshi entered the city from the outside.
O'hara's Royal City has no walls, or it once did, but after being dismantled, it became a city with no boundaries. No division between inner and outer city; when it gets crowded, people naturally build on the outskirts, gradually expanding the city.
Walls don't protect against anything.
For Fukaboshi, without walls, there are no wall guards. No one stops him; he can go straight in.
But upon entering, he immediately felt discomfort.
O'hara is bustling, even more so than the Seven Waters their kin speak of, with many humans passing through, tall, short, strong, and slim, making Fukaboshi's burly figure seem less distinct.
But he was still watched.
A mermaid walking on land naturally attracts attention.
Many people marveled at the sight of the mermaid, stirring emotions of sadness within Fukaboshi.
He felt like a rare monkey being watched.
Indeed, even the Scourge's words aren't entirely true.
Opportunities, equality...
Mermaids, here, are still scrutinized by others, aren't they?
Fukaboshi lowered his head slightly, continued to walk forward, and mentally prepared himself for being taken away in a sack.
If that happens, even in death, he will resist!
Slap.
Just as his thoughts passed, a hand suddenly gripped his wrist, prompting a murderous glare from Fukaboshi that he clenched his other fist, ready to strike.
"Hey there, nice muscles!"
Just as he raised his fist, he saw a handsome man with slick hair and a dressed-up look smiling at him.
Only one person?
Fukaboshi narrowed his eyes, suppressed his anger, and coldly said, "What do you want?"
"It's like this..."
The handsome man chuckled, looked Fukaboshi up and down, nodded with satisfaction—that expression was familiar, the same one used by pirates who raided Fishman Island abducting their kin, though this guy was more reserved.
"You're quite handsome, a male mermaid. Not common! Can you take off the mask so I can see?" he said.
Do they want to assess my looks, see how much I'm worth?
Humans, they really are sinful.
Fukaboshi raised his hand, tore off the mask, revealing a face quite similar to humans, appearing very valiant.
"Good, good, good, looks nice too. A male mermaid like you is so rare,"
The handsome man said excitedly, making Fukaboshi's expression colder.
"Are you looking at how much I'm worth? How many people do you have? Let them out; I'm not scared!"
"You talk so boldly, but my people are all at work; nothing to be scared of. You know what I do, right? Then it's easy to talk."
The handsome man released Fukaboshi's hand, rubbed his hands together, and said, "Let me get to the point. Are you interested in a high-paying job? With your type, you're a rarity; you're definitely in demand."
Fukaboshi coldly said, "What kind of job? Slave..."
Before the words 'slave trade' left his lips, the handsome man nodded eagerly, "That's right! You know! We are the Pampered Slave Whitehorse Club!"
He grabbed Fukaboshi's hand again, "You're so rare. How about this: a base salary of sixty thousand Belly a month, with a 20% commission on drinks! Please, join our club!"
Fukaboshi was dazed for a while, looking at the hands tightly held, then looked at the man, "Job?"